Lee’s Service: 60 Years of Serving Idaho Movers as U-Haul Dealer

Lee’s Service is a family-owned gas station and automotive repair shop, a local Blackfoot treasure that harkens back to the days of yesteryear.

Leland (Lee) Herbst founded the business in 1956. His son, Layne Herbst, now owns and operates it.

Storied History with U-Haul

In 1958, Lee was approached by a U-Haul representative and asked if he would offer U-Haul trailer sharing on his lot. Three months later, his first trailer was available for rent. His tenure as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer serving do-it-yourself movers in Idaho was underway.

Lee’s Service has stayed at the same location for 62 years. Layne took over the business in 2001 when Lee retired. Layne and his wife, Michaelene, also employ their son, Chase.

“It started out as a one-man operation,” Layne said. Lee started out working 16-hour days in the summer and 14-hour days in the winter prior to hiring employees to assist. “(U-Haul) helped us out,” Layne continued. “When a new customer comes and moves to town, they’ll sometimes come back for repairs or to buy fuel from us.”

Contact Lee’s Service at (208) 785-2771 or stop by to see Layne and his team. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. Reserve equipment here by visiting uhaul.com or contacting Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL.

Lee’s Service a Blackfoot Icon

“U-Haul is fortunate to have a business relationship with Lee’s Service, as they are an example of the backbone of our company and community,” said Casey Jones, U-Haul Company of Idaho president. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate 60 years of serving Blackfoot.”

Blackfoot is known as the “Potato Capital of the World” and has the largest potato industry of any area. It is home to the Idaho Potato Museum and also hosts the Eastern Idaho State Fair each September.

Lee’s Service and U-Haul both place an emphasis on their customers and going the extra mile to make sure they meet customer needs.

“It’s truly a family business,” Paul Johnson, U-Haul area field manager, said of Lee’s Service. “U-Haul is all about family, so having them on our team is a blessing.”

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Finally, are you interested in becoming a U-Haul dealer and helping serve your community’s moving needs while adding to your income? Go to uhaul.com/dealer to learn more.